Page 25 of Don't Be in Love

“Thank you,” I responded in an apologetic manner, taking a seat in the plaid upholstered couch between her and Cora’s ginger bob.

“Your mother didn’t send you here with any other dresses?” Jane asked, her sequenced cardigan swaying forward as she reached for a slice of cheese on the centered coffee table.

My stomach twisted.Your mother. It was easier to say, “I guess she didn’t think about it,” than to explain that we hadn’t spoken in over five years.

Iris and Dotty shared a meaningful glance. I didn’t talk about my mother, or my father, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if Mia or Sabrina filled them in enough.

“Addy actually lives with her aunt,” Iris explained.

“Oh,” Jane said, looking regretful. “Well, that’s nice. What’s your aunt like?”

Quiet. Stoic. Possessed by conversing in a monotone voice. “She’s nice. She works at a bank. Lives by herself.”

“Have you spoken to her recently?”

Not since I started college three years ago. “We’re not very close,” I shrugged with a closed lip smile.

Iris came to my rescue. “Addy’s been doing so well in class that another student asked her for help with his project.”

Definitely not a rescue.

I threw my hand over my face, almost poking myself in the eye. Out of all the topics this woman could’ve picked, she went straight for the jugular. The result of telling gossip to your romance-obsessed boss.

“Oh my, that’s quite a compliment!” Lottie’s long face turned up in a smile, making her pearl earrings perk up.

“What’s the project on?” Evelyn asked as she pulled the needle through the fabric.

“Putting together a social media marketing campaign for a company that’s lacking online branding.”

Beatrice raised her glass. “You lost me at social.”

“Wait, did you sayhe?” Lottie crossed her legs and leaned forward. Her gaze swung from Iris to me.

Iris began to open her mouth.

Ohshit.

She turned to glance at the back door where I left Dorian. I sat up urgently to stop the stampede she was about to create toward the backroom. “He’s just another student in my—”

The back door swung open on its own. All eyes shot to the creak of the wood.

“Hey, I had a question about—” Dorian stopped. His laptop open in his arms and his lips parted. His hair was ruffled, like he was twisting strands in thought before walking out. He shut the laptop abruptly. “Sorry, I didn’t realize I was interrupting. I’ll just—”

“No, no, no! Stay!” the older women protested and cooed.

I slowly shook my head.No.

What am I supposed to do?his wide eyes said.

I scowled as he succumbed, moving closer to our circle.

“Is this the student you’re helping?” Beatrice asked. Everyone seemed to move forward in their seats. I pinched the bridge of my nose.

His brow arched in curiosity.Talking about me, huh?

I rolled my eyes. “Yes. This is Dorian.”

“You didn’t mention he was handsome,” Cora whispered conspicuously.